Wednesday, 21 June 2017

Happy birthday to the great Lalo Schifrin

I feel it’s only right to celebrate
Lalo’s birthday here today. Schifrin has played such an integral part in the
success of Clint’s career, scoring the soundtracks to films including Coogan’s
Bluff, The Beguiled, Kelly’s Heroes, Dirty Harry, Joe
Kidd, Magnum Force, Sudden Impact and The Dead Pool.

I find it a little hard to believe that it was back in late 2005 that
the legendary Renaissance man granted me an exclusive interview for Cinema
Retro Magazine. I had built up a nice relationship with his company Aleph
Records alongside his charming wife Donna, and his daughter-in-law Theresa.

It is a friendship that still endures to this day. I really didn’t
know what to expect upon interviewing this extraordinary composer? On the one
hand, I had to wear my ‘professional’ hat – but of course, I was (and remain) a
genuine ‘fan’. Will I get 20 minutes? Perhaps I could push it to 30 minutes of good,
informative chat? No, Lalo was far too charming and generous for that, he
opened up about the whole Exorcist story, some great personal memories, his
childhood and after some engrossing 80 minutes of conversation the interview found
its own very natural conclusion… officially. Beyond that we probably chatted ‘off
the record’ for a further 5-10 minutes. From my perspective, Lalo had switched
from hero to friend – a certain trust seemed to emerge and I love the man dearly
for that. During those final few minutes he delivered to me perhaps the
ultimate compliment ‘You know more about me than I do!’ Well Lalo, I’ll settle for that any day of the
week, Sir…

On behalf of all the fans, I’d
like to wish you a wonderful 85th Birthday along with continued
Health and Happiness.